Paddle
Florida, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation organized to
support canoeing and kayaking in Florida. Events in each of Florida's
five water management districts expose paddlers to Florida's natural
beauty and rich cultural heritage while promoting water conservation,
wildlife preservation, springs restoration and waterways protection. Paddle Florida also seeks to promote Florida as an international
destination for nature-based tourism. Trips feature Florida's most
scenic rivers, canoe trails and coastal environments, including the
Florida Keys and the Suwannee, Wekiva, St. Johns, Ochlockonee, Peace,
Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers.

I had wanted to take this trip for several years. But because I also wanted to paddle with some old friends from the north who only seemed to have the week of this trip available to paddle here in Florida, I could not. That changed this year and I was finally able to paddle the “Wonderful Withlacoochee”.

And wonderful it is. Although it has been dammed in several places, it has largely avoided channelization, preserving the winding twists and turns of a truly wild river (Click here for information on the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the reason for the river being dammed). Its banks are lined with giant Cypress trees wearing heavy coats of Spanish Moss. In many places the river flows deep into the surrounding forest as far as the eye can see. The river is rich with bird life. On our second night out, camped at Potts Preserve, we watched as several flights of dozens of Ibis passed over, heading for their evening roost. On the water, groups of Ibis and Coots foraged until spooked by our passing, sending clouds of white and black, squawking into the blue sky. The solitary birds were present in abundance too. Heron of all types, Egrets, and the odd solitary Limpkin. Osprey, eagles, hawks and Kingfishers were seen. On our first warm day the logs along the bank were studded with dozens of sunning turtles, most bigger than dinner plates. A gator was spotted as were raccoon, wild hogs, and otter.

One of the things I love to focus on is the sounds on the river. That’s what this video is all about.

But while the river remained wonderful, the weather turned very un-Florida like. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we had wind and cold weather, with each day a little colder than the last. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were at least sunny, even though cold and windy, but Tuesday added rain to the mix making for a miserable paddling day. The wind and rain gave me a chance to test my new REI Half Dome 2 Plus tent, which performed very well. (See the video below and my full review by clicking here.)

This is the video portion of my review on this new tent.

The first day of any trip usually involves getting to the launch point and getting set up to paddle. This is especially true when the launch point is half way across the state. It took me a little under three hours to reach March Bend Outlet Park. The park is about half way between Lake Panasoffkee and the Withlacoochee on the lake outlet. On Monday we would paddle down the outlet to the river and head north. (The Withlacoochee is one of two north flowing rivers in Florida. The Saint Johns is the other.)

It was a pleasant day, not too warm but warm enough to bring out the mosquitos! We set up camp in an open forest area and prepared for our early morning departure.